The Chisago County Sheriffs Office honors the men and women who serve as public safety dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 8 – April 14.

National Public Safety Telecommunications Week started in 1991. It was introduced to Congress by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO). This week has been dedicated to public safety telecommunicators who aid in providing 911 emergency assistance to citizens everywhere.

Citizens depend on the skill, expertise and commitment of the men and women who work in public safety telecommunications.

These knowledgeable and highly trained individuals help save countless lives by answering emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching law enforcement, medical and fire professionals and equipment, and providing support to citizens in distress; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Each day, thousands of Americans dial 911 for help in emergencies ranging from house fires and automobile accidents to heart attacks and child poisonings.

The men and women who answer these calls for help in Chisago County, gathering essential information and dispatching the appropriate assistance, can often make the difference between life and death for persons in need.

Each of us at some point has needed the quick, competent professionalism of the 911 emergency service telecommunicators. The work of these ‘unseen first responders’ is invaluable in emergency situations, and each of these dedicated men and women deserves our heartfelt appreciation.

Chisago County’s 12, 911 dispatchers, are among the more than 500,000 telecommunications specialists across the nation who work 24 hours a day to protect and promote the public’s safety.

Each month these 12 outstanding dispatchers field approximately 2000 911 emergency calls and 4000 non-emergency calls.